The Birmingham BriefThe Birmingham Brief archiveContensis: http://www.contentmanagement.co.ukhttp://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/thebirminghambrief/index.aspx?SyndicationType=22015-08-03T00:26:49ZNearly all of us have gum disease – so let's do something about itStuart GillespieSeveral studies have been conducted to look at the association of periodontitis with other systemic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, chronic kidney disease and obesity. For example, the periodontal research group at the University of Birmingham has found higher death rates in periodontitis sufferers, as well as stiffer arteries in kidney disease patients and poorer kidney function in those who have periodontitis compared with those who are disease-free.2015-05-28T15:10:00Z2015-06-05T11:50:00Zhttp://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/thebirminghambrief/items/2015/05/nearly-all-of-us-have-gum-disease-28-05-15.aspxReclaiming the realities of anorexiaStuart GillespieThe concerning trend for terms such as 'thinspiration' on social media highlights the growing chasm between how we commonly discuss anorexia nervosa, both clinically and as a broader society, and the realities of the condition.2015-02-12T15:25:00Z2015-02-12T15:15:00Zhttp://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/thebirminghambrief/items/2015/02/reclaiming-realities-anorexia-12-02-15.aspxEducation and awareness needed to combat 'global epidemic' of liver diseaseFaye JacksonDespite significant advances in our knowledge of how to diagnose and treat chronic liver disease, we are currently experiencing a global epidemic in cases. In Europe alone, 29 million people suffer from chronic liver disease, and this rapid upward trend is reproduced in England, where liver disease is one of the leading causes of premature mortality.2014-10-30T13:04:00Z2014-10-30T12:49:00Zhttp://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/thebirminghambrief/items/2014/10/education-needed-to-combat-liver-disease-30-10-14.aspxPatient-reported outcomes: the heart of healthcare research?Faye JacksonThe moment a patient is recruited to participate in a clinical trial, we start to collect data. Much of this data derives from the information that only patients can give, that we cannot acquire through any test or scan. Are they experiencing pain? What are the side effects? These important insights are captured in a trial using PROs (patient-reported outcomes).2014-10-16T15:41:00Z2014-10-16T15:28:00Zhttp://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/thebirminghambrief/items/2014/10/patient-reported-outcomes-16-10-14.aspxThe modern PrometheusRebecca VowlesLet me suggest an image to you: the image of the 'mad scientist'.2014-09-04T14:30:00Z2014-09-11T14:10:00Zhttp://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/thebirminghambrief/items/2014/09/the-modern-prometheus-04-09-14.aspxFat is a classroom issue: give primary schools the tools to combat childhood obesityLesley ClarkeInformation on Fat is a classroom issue: give primary schools the tools to combat childhood obesity2014-08-21T13:49:00Z2014-09-26T15:19:00Zhttp://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/thebirminghambrief/items/2014/08/tools-to-combat-childhood-obesity-21-08-14.aspxSepsis: this public health emergency is now too big to ignoreRebecca VowlesInformation on Sepsis: this public health emergency is now too big to ignore2014-08-14T07:00:00Z2014-08-18T09:10:00Zhttp://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/thebirminghambrief/items/2014/08/Sepsis-this-public-health-emergency-is-now-too-big-to-ignore.aspxPop-up science: University of Birmingham takes world-leading research to the people in run up to national festivalLesley ClarkeInformation on Pop-up science: University of Birmingham takes world-leading research to the people in run up to national festival2014-08-07T13:08:00Z2014-08-18T14:16:00Zhttp://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/thebirminghambrief/items/2014/08/pop-up-science-07-08-14.aspxThe Birmingham Institute of Translational Medicine: world class made in BirminghamKylie MorrisRemarkable progress in the treatment of human disease was made in the 20th century but much remains to be done.2014-01-17T12:32:00Z2014-01-17T12:17:00Zhttp://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/thebirminghambrief/items/2014/01/birmingham-institute-of-translational-medicine.aspxWhy do so many people think they're addicted to food?Kylie MorrisAnimal studies have shown that high-fat and high-sugar foods have similar effects on the brain as do substances more usually associated with addiction, such as alcohol or drugs. The research also suggests these foods can cause similar problems, such as withdrawal symptoms or going to great lengths to obtain the food. Yet, the existence of food addiction in humans remains extremely controversial within the scientific community.2013-08-22T14:27:00Z2013-08-22T14:16:00Zhttp://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/thebirminghambrief/items/2013/08/Why-do-so-many-people-think-theyre-addicted-to-food.aspxRegulating the complementary health professions: is the government doing enough?About half of the UK population use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) during their lifetimes. Yet despite this, successive governments have appeared remarkably reluctant to engage with the regulation of these therapeutic practices, despite its stated commitment to responsive and appropriate regulation of the health sector.2011-05-12T00:00:00Z2013-08-09T09:48:00Zhttp://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/thebirminghambrief/items/2011/05/12may-complementary-health.aspxWhat does Additional Parental Leave mean for fathers?Admin TaraFathers of children born after 3 April 2011 are entitled to take Additional Parental Leave (APL), in addition to two weeks statutory paternity leave. By allowing both (qualifying) parents to share paid parental leave, APL seemingly demonstrates a commitment to giving fathers a genuine opportunity to parent their children in the first year of life. In fact, it is not obvious that APL will make a significant difference.2011-04-08T00:00:00Z2013-08-09T09:41:00Zhttp://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/thebirminghambrief/items/2011/04/8apr-parental-leave.aspxCounting the cost of neuroscience researchClaire HawkinsThe current demographic trends show that the UK's population is becoming older. As this happens the incidence of neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's, dementia and Parkinson's disease is also increasing. This has huge social, economical and political implications – further evidence that understanding how the brain works both in health and disease is a challenge that we need to address urgently before the problem of neurodegeneration becomes more evident.2011-03-14T15:04:00Z2013-08-08T16:51:00Zhttp://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/thebirminghambrief/items/2011/03/14mar-neuroscience-research.aspxCounting the cost of cancer careCarole WaleThe UK is one of the leading centres for cancer research and clinical trials. Many of the most significant drug developments of the last decade have come through UK research.2010-04-21T00:00:00Z2013-08-08T15:25:00Zhttp://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/thebirminghambrief/items/2010/04/cancercare.aspxLaunch of National Children's Cancer Trials Team in BirminghamClaire HawkinsBirmingham will be at the forefront of developments in childhood cancer research thanks to the launch of a new centre which will co-ordinate groundbreaking clinical trials across the UK. The Cancer Research UK Children's Clinical Trials Team at the University of Birmingham will play a major role in the development of new treatments for childhood cancers. Dr Pam Kearns reflects on the challenges for childhood cancer treatment in the UK.2010-04-16T00:00:00Z2013-08-08T15:24:00Zhttp://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/thebirminghambrief/items/2010/04/childhoodcancertrials.aspx